Who are the men behind the Indiana Aeronautics Commission? Where do these fellows live, what are their occupations and qualifications? Knowing these things, it is easier to understand why they are doing such a fine job of fostering aviation, are so intent upon making Indiana the safest, foremost flying state in the nation.

Clarence F. Cornish
Director of the commission is Clarence F. Cornish, more familiarly known as "Colonel." He earned the title in World War II. The colonel is a real old-time airman. One glance at the humorous "crows'-feet" around his eyes, his constant mannerism of searching the sky and everything around him is a dead give-away. He is a pilot.

Cornish was long a resident of Fort Wayne, for seven years, managed the Fort Wayne municipal airport. His flying started in 1918 when he was appointed an air cadet. He instructed in pursuit and aerial gunnery through 1919, when he was discharged from the air corps and joined the air corps reserve.

 

Col. Cornish held an important airman's post in Washington during the last war. He has been and is now founder, charter member, secretary, vice president of way too many aviation groups to list here. As a civilian, he holds a commercial pilot's rating. He is married, the father of an eight-year-old girl.

The colonel is extremely safety-minded and knows whereof he speaks. For my money, I'm glad the commission is headed by such an experienced airman, with the colonel's stubborn views on safety.

Morrison A. Rockhill
Warsaw should be proud of the fact that a local resident is on the commission. Born in Mentone, which fact he will never let you forget, Morrison Rockhill is entirely a self-made individual. An attorney, he ranks high in the councils of the Republican party. Though he has consistently tried to retire from active politics in the past several years, it is complimentary to him that as his retirement time lengthens, his advice and counsel are more and more asked.

In spite of this partisan background, he is a fine, impartial, fair-minded man, with more friends than most of us will ever know. He gained a tremendous store of technical aviation knowledge as an advisor to his boyhood friend, plane-maker Larry Bell, during World War II. He lives in Warsaw, has one son in college, one daughter at home, where Mrs. Rockhill must patiently put up with the never-ending string of visitors and phone calls which come to this small-town lawyer with the big heart and mind.

Dr. George W. Starr
Chairman of the commission is also director of business research, Indiana university. Dr. Starr is married, has two children, was a pilot during the first World War. Dr. Starr is the typical professor in the modern manner. He has a keen mind and an intense interest in aviation. He is the author of several comprehensive papers on air transportation. With the ability and training to think upon a very high plane, Dr. Starr deals largely with good common-sense--an asset to any board.

Guy T. Henry
President of the Central Indiana Gas company, Muncie, Mr. Henry is a big genial man with a drawling southern accent. A popular member of the board, Mr. Henry's keen business instincts and sound judgment can be counted upon to spot the "ringers." He is a private pilot, owns his own airplane. Is a believer in making airplane usage practical, inspects his own pipelines with his plane.

Howard D. Clark
This member of the board must admit that it is his wife who wears the wings. Alert, with nervous mannerisms, Clark is a fellow who likes to get things done, get them over with. He is owner of an abstract and title company at Valparaiso, has long been an aviation enthusiast. Owns a family airplane, but has only a student permit himself. Mrs. Clark is a qualified private pilot, which leads to some ribbing at board meetings. He is an amateur camera fan and an all-round fine companion. A very hard man to fool when selecting airport sites, looking into the deals behind the airports.

Gene Dawson
I've saved Gene Dawson, secretary of the commission until last, lest I be accused of plugging another member of the fourth estate. Dawson is aviation editor of the Indianapolis News, has the knack of asking a newsman's penetrating questions. Direct and to the point. Holds a private pilot's license and is national president of the Aviation Writers' association. Gene is definitely the kind of individual who likes his fellow-men. He is married and has two daughters that get acquainted with him whenever his flying job allows him to stay a few days in Indianapolis. He is the member of the commission whose aviation knowledge is second only to the colonel's.

Knowing these men as you do now, it is easy to see why the future of aviation in Indiana is safe in their hands. Each of them is intensely interested in the problem. Each has a particular trait which fits him for commission service. This commission passes upon every public airport site in the state. They must approve any airport which is to receive Federal aid, or operate a G.I. program. They have their problems and their critics, but we like them and then they are doing a fine job--a public service.

Warsaw Daily Times Oct. 22, 1947

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